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What was the Domesday Book?

The Domesday Book is a record of the first survey carried out in England for King William the Conqueror. It was completed in the year 1086. It was similar to a census since its main purpose was to have a record of all lands, property and people in the country. William appointed his trusted officials to collect such information in order to be able to charge an adequate amount of taxes, to be more ready for action in case of war and to further extend his control on England. Indeed, the Domesday Book is closely linked with William the Conqueror's attempt to dominate Medieval England.

This book would also functioned as a judge since it provided detailed information on record, and nobody could dispute or argue against a tax demand. For that reason people of England called it "Domesday Book", that recalls the “doomsday” that is the end of the world, the “Judgment Day”. 
William ordered the survey of England to take place about twenty years after the Battle of Hastings, that marks the definitive battle of the Norman conquest. The Saxon Chronicle states that it took place in 1085, while other sources state that it was done in 1086. The whole survey took less than a year to complete and the books can be found in the Public Records Office.

The Domesday Book is so important as it consists in a remarkable record of the state of England in the mid-1080's.

Related Answers:

What was the Domesday book used for? The Domesday Book was used by William the Conqueror for better know his kingdom in order to increase the import of taxation, to be more informed about the characteristics of his kingdom and to be more ready for action in case of war. The domesday Book was also really useful in the event of a dispute between property owners or peasants. Indeed “Domesday” means the “Judgment Day” and it refers to the fact that you couldn’t argue with the Book, it functioned as a judge.

How did the Domesday Book change England? The Domesday Book changed England since it gave a detailed idea of the contemporary situation of English lands. As a result William the Conqueror could better organize the social, political and military system of his kingdom.

Why is the domesday book called domesday? Domesday means “the Judgment Day”, indeed it recalls the name “doomsday” that is the end of the world. It refers to the fact that you could not argue with the Book, as you could not argue on the Judgment day.

What is domesday book about? It is about the characteristics of William the Conqueror’s kingdom, in the year 1086. It provided information about the features of population, about the amount of property owners’ lands and cattle: it was like a census.